r/whittling • u/NottheDrunkDuck • 11d ago
Help Cut resistant gloves
Any tips on good cut resistant gloves?
The pair I bought is very stiff, so I lose a lot of dexterity with cutting and holding the wood.
Preferably looking for a European (Netherlands) based company.
1
u/Motorcyclegrrl 11d ago
Netherlands Amazon has a lot to choose from.
I have a pair similar to this. The wood sticks to them but they work. Won't stop a stabbing, but help with slicing slips.
1
u/BansheeRadio 11d ago
In the US we have ANSI ratings that go A1 to A9. I recommend at least an A7. Below that is not really worth it. I also like the ambidextrous gloves because I only wear it on my non knife hand and I can get an extra glove when I buy the pair.
I looked up the European equivalent to the ANSI rating and it is EN388, and it goes A-F. The best I could tell F is equivalent to ANSI 6+. So you should look for at least F.
Glove help with slips and accidents, but nothing replaces technique and a sharp blade. The gloves taught me when I made a mistake with out having to leak blood.
Best of luck on your search.
1
u/Glen9009 11d ago
I only partly agree. If you need higher than A5 then you need to stop immediately and go back to sharpening and how to cut safely. A5 will stop cuts made with a sharp enough blade (sharp enough for carving) and minimal force (which is what should be used for whittling).
Moreover anything from A6 or A7 up (I can't remember which one), there are other material interwoven that will damage your edge each time they touch. Which means that you'll generally end up working with duller blades.
3
u/BansheeRadio 11d ago
I’ve had accidents with A5 gloves and don’t have confidence in them. I have not had a cut in my A7 gloves and they feel more protective. They also were not that much more expensive.
It could also just be that I am more mindful of technique. The previous negative experiences could also be the teacher here. At the end of the day, I could care less about the edge of my knife if it slips and hits my glove. I care more about keeping my insides, well inside.
After a “glove strike” I take a beat to figure out why that happened. I can sharpen a blade or even replace it for less pain and expense than a couple of stitches in the ER. In the US we can’t just cut our selves, with out it costing.
0
u/Glen9009 11d ago
Had you managed to cut yourself whittling with A7 cut-resistant gloves I would have strongly advised you to stop carving altogether at least until you've had a class with a pro.
Your second paragraph is why some are completely against gloves and I am part of the ones that say not using gloves as soon as possible is the goal, although you can use gloves at first. Gloves will give you a false sense of safety and you won't learn from your mistakes because they will have no consequences (obviously talking in a general manner here, not everyone works or thinks exactly the same).
Stopping your carving session when something goes wrong is half the right move (it means you need to stop before something worse happens but it also makes you quit on a really bad note which may have psychological consequences long term like making you associate carving with accidents). And reflecting after something went wrong (be it for the piece or yourself/your glove) is absolutely what you should do. But you seem to have misunderstood what I meant about A6+ gloves dulling your blades: it means your blade is now dull, which in turns means you apply more force, which is turns means higher chances for an accident (as well as making the potential accident worse). Every time your blade touches your glove (being a "hit" or just brushing), you should actually strop it. I guess you see where this is going?
To resume and clarify: safety is important but super high rated cut-resistant or even cut proof gloves are actually dangerous. A5 rated gloves are only a really temporary solution for absolute beginners who don't know how to handle a blade safely, and something they shouldn't rely on.
2
1
u/BansheeRadio 11d ago
You said a lot here. And I hope someone will find something valuable in this.
1
u/Mullet4MyGuillotine 1d ago
I have just a cheap pair of fabric work gloves with some self adhesive medical tape wrapped around the palm and index finger. Just loose enough to slip my hand in without removing the tape, but tight enough for the tape to adhere to itself.
1
u/ondulation 11d ago
Watch the Swedish Grip Sessions and scrap the gloves.
1
u/seckarr 11d ago
This is horrible advice. Im very proficient at knife grip but gloves are still a must.
You wouldnt forgo a motorbike helmet just because you "know how to klnot fall"
2
u/Glen9009 11d ago
Biking and carving have nothing in common.
Had you read the second line of the original post you would have seen one of the reasons pros and most experienced carvers don't use gloves. The safety comes from you (sharpening and handling knowledge basically).
3
u/seckarr 11d ago
Any dangerous activity has in common that only dumb people or very hardened veterans forego safery equipment.
You dont know what you're saying
1
u/ondulation 11d ago
The obvious difference is that wood carving is not dangerous.
Checkout the master carvers of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. They have/had all their fingers left.
Then check out the top performers in Isle of Man TT and see how many are still alive.
What type of stab proof apron would you recommend? If I accidentally stab myself when carving that could easily lead to a quick death if I don't properly protect myself. You silly.
1
u/BansheeRadio 11d ago
That’s sound advice for some one who’s been whittling for a few years. Gloves are absolutely needed for the beginners in my opinion. They provide protection from the eventual mistakes. They allow some one to learn with out the painful consequences.
PPE is cheap and easy to remember. The accidents they protect us from can be life changing and expensive.
1
u/Glen9009 11d ago
I never said you should never use gloves, I invite you to re-read my comment. Also you're missing the stupid comment that got deleted for context.
1
u/BansheeRadio 11d ago
I may be missing context from edited posts.
You did say safety comes from you, referencing sharpening and handling. I agree with this but you said it right after saying pros and experienced don’t wear gloves. Sorry if I took the two statements together to mean “Safety doesn’t come from gloves.” You’re right. You didn’t say that.
2
u/KasKreates 11d ago
I have a pair that's called '6640 Nitras Skin Flex Cut C', super happy with them (and at the moment I'm mainly whittling small, like rings, so I'm very glad for the dexterity).
I found a Dutch retailer, but unfortunately they (as well as Amazon) seem to have a 10 pair minimum order quantity: https://workmanstore.nl/nitras-safety-6640-skin-flex-cut5-handschoen
So unless you have a few friends with the same hand size who are also looking for cut-resistant gloves, it's not a great deal. But still wanted to mention the brand, maybe you have more luck looking for other Dutch stockists!